Thumbs up, thumbs down

Published 1:48 am, Tuesday, September 1, 2009

THUMBS UP to the "One Book, One Community" program in Danbury that will encourage people to read the same book and then participate in various discussions. This concept worked well this summer when the five towns around Candlewood Lake promoted the reading of the same book, followed by discussions. In the new program -- the second for Danbury -- announced last week, "Hurry Down Sunshine" by Michael Greenberg was selected for its forthright dealing with mental illness. A collaboration of the Danbury Public Library, Western Connecticut State University and Danbury Public Schools will organize several book discussions at various sites in October, capped by a session with the author.

THUMBS DOWN to the indicator that shows median housing prices in July dipped lower in most towns in Western Connecticut compared to sales prices the previous year at the same time. While the median price was lower -- a 49 percent decrease in Redding, for example -- sales were erratic. Some towns saw an increase in sales -- New Milford sales were up 56 percent -- while others, such as Danbury with a 27 percent drop, were below the state average. We hope the housing market stabilizes soon.

THUMBS UP to the signing of a lease which will keep open a post office in the Hawleyville section of Newtown. At a time when post offices are being closed and consolidated across the country, it's good to see that a grassroots movement by concerned residents was able to show officials the value of a keeping a post office in Hawleyville. The new one will be a just a short distance from the previous building.

THUMBS DOWN to the economic conditions in state government, which led to the closing of a state technical high school in Stamford. Although it is a long bus ride, 47 students can at least continue their education at Abbott Tech in Danbury, which began classes last week and welcomed the new students.

THUMBS UP to the high praise education officials received in the accreditation report for Bethel High School. Many high schools in the area receive accolades, but what is remarkable about the achievement at Bethel High is that it is a relatively quick turnaround from when the school was put on probation just five years ago. The report by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges justifiably reflects the hard work of all involved.